1. Birth of Bar Code
On June 24, 1974, the first item with a bar code was scanned at a supermarket. The item in question was a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum. The bar code system has since become essential in retail stores around the world.
2. Queen Victoria's Ascension
On June 24, 1837, Queen Victoria ascended to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV. Her reign lasted for over 63 years, the longest of any female monarch in history.
3. A Leap Second Added
Exactly at midnight on June 24, 2015, a leap second was added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to keep atomic time in line with solar time. This adjustment helps keep clocks and calendar dates accurate.
4. Earliest Fossil of a Primate Discovered
On June 24, 2002, researchers announced the discovery of 'Eosimias', the earliest known primate. This important archaeological breakthrough took place in China, shedding light on the origins of human evolution.
5. International Fairy Day
Believe it or not, June 24 is recognized as International Fairy Day, a day to celebrate fairy tales and folklore around the world. It’s a whimsical day to delve into the magical world of fairies and their stories.
6. Window Washing Safety Act Day
In 1932, the Window Washing Safety Act was passed on June 24 in New York City. This day marked a vital step in improving safety measures for window washers at great heights.
7. Alice in Wonderland's Public Debut
On June 24, 1865, Lewis Carroll's iconic tale "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was printed for the first time, providing people worldwide with a fantasy story beloved by children and adults alike.
8. Alaska’s Name Change
On June 24, 1917, Mount McKinley National Park in Alaska became Denali National Park, reinstating the native Athabaskan name meaning “the high one” in a move celebrating native history and culture.
9. Birth of the Typewriter
The patent for a device that would become the typewriter was granted on June 24, 1868, thereby revolutionizing writing and communication, and laying the groundwork for modern keyboard design.
10. Birthday of Ambrose Bierce
Renowned American author Ambrose Bierce, known for his wit and cynicism, was born on June 24, 1842. His unflinching accounts of war and a morbid outlook on life make his stories enthralling.
11. National Pralines Day
Every year, June 24 is celebrated as National Pralines Day, providing individuals a delightful reason to enjoy the sweetness of these candy-covered nuts.
12. United Nations Public Service Day
June 24 is also United Nations Public Service Day, recognizing the contributions of public service in the development process all across the globe.
13. Discovery of the Planet Pluto's Moon, Dysnomia
On June 24, 2005, the discovery of Dysnomia, a moon of dwarf planet Pluto, was announced. This celestial discovery expanded our understanding of the outermost regions of our solar system.
14. Television’s First Commercial Aired
The world’s first legal television commercial aired on June 24, 1941 in the United States. The advertisement was for Bulova watches and was broadcast before a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
15. Opening of Disneyland’s Skyway
On June 24, 1956, Disneyland's Skyway, a gondola lift that provided visitors an aerial perspective of the park, first opened. It was one of Walt Disney's earliest and most popular park attractions.
16. First Installment of the Harry Potter Series Published
On June 24, 1997, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", the first book in J.K. Rowling's legendary series, was published in the UK. The series has since become a worldwide phenomenon.
17. Day of the Caboclo
In Brazil, June 24 is celebrated as "Dia do Caboclo" or "Day of the Caboclo", honoring the mixed indigenous and European heritage of the people in the Amazon Rainforest.
18. The Battle of Bannockburn
On June 24, 1314, the pivotal Battle of Bannockburn concluded, marking a significant win for Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England.
19. Erik Satie’s ‘Vexations’ Performance
On June 24 in 1963, a historic 18-hour piano rendition of Erik Satie's 'Vexations', supervised by John Cage, took place in New York. The piece is infamous for its instruction to be repeated 840 times.
20. First Woman in Space Returns to Earth
On June 24, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, returned to Earth after spending nearly three days in orbit. This marked a significant step in gender equality in space exploration.